Brodiaea insignis
Kaweah brodiaea
(c) Brendan Black, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Brodiaea insignis (Kaweah brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by short scape with long pedicels diagnostic.
Kaweah brodiaea is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills in the Kaweah and Tule River drainages of Tulare County, in foothill woodland at elevations of 200 to 500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces striking violet flowers with spreading perianth lobes 13 to 20 millimeters long, creating a delicate display against its slender scape. Growing with a thin, delicate scape 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms with remarkable elegance. Its flowers feature distinctive white staminodes with notched tips that are appressed to the stamens, creating an intricate internal structure. The delicate violet blooms are carried on pedicels up to 13 centimeters long, highlighting the plant's graceful architectural form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; short scape with long pedicels diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Foothill woodland
Elevation: 200-500 m
California counties: Tulare
Bloom period
Brodiaea insignis blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Triteleia: Count the stamens: Brodiaea has 3 fertile stamens, Triteleia has 6.; vs Dipterostemon: Brodiaea has straight flower stalks; Dipterostemon stalks curve or bend.; vs Dichelostemma: Brodiaea stalks stay straight and upright; Dichelostemma stalks curve, twist, or twine.; vs Sisyrinchium: Brodiaea flowers are tubular; Sisyrinchium flowers are flat and star-shaped.; vs Scilla: Brodiaea has tubular flowers with visible stamens inside; Scilla has bell-shaped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brodiaea insignis native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea insignis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea insignis bloom?
Brodiaea insignis blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Brodiaea insignis grow?
Brodiaea insignis occurs in Tulare, at elevations of 200-500 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea insignis belong to?
Brodiaea insignis is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
Is Brodiaea insignis rare or endangered?
Brodiaea insignis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.